Magnussen joins BMW for LMDh sportscar programme in 2025

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After a decade in Formula 1, Kevin Magnussen will soon embark on a new chapter in his motorsport career by joining BMW’s factory LMDh programme for 2025.

The Danish driver will compete at the wheel of BMW’s M Hybrid V8 prototype, with the manufacturer currently fielding cars in both the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and North America’s IMSA SportsCar Championship.

The announcement comes on the eve of Magnussen’s final Formula 1 race with Haas at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. BMW Motorsport has not yet confirmed whether Magnussen will focus on WEC, IMSA, or both, but his addition has already been hailed as a significant boost to the program.

Magnussen is no stranger to sportscar competition, having raced a full season with a Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R in the IMSA SportsCar Championship in 2021.

Partnering with Renger van der Zande, the Dane secured a victory in Detroit that year. He has also raced in the LMP2 class at the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans and competed in the Gulf 12 Hours with a Ferrari 488 GT3 in 2022.

Read also: Ocon and Hirakawa to drive for Haas in Abu Dhabi test

BMW Motorsport boss Andreas Roos praised Magnussen’s blend of Formula 1 experience and familiarity with prototype racing, describing him as a valuable addition to the team.

"Kevin Magnussen is an outstanding addition to our LMDh programme," commented Roos. "He has regularly demonstrated his speed at the highest level in Formula 1 over the past decade.

"Thanks to his extensive experience, he is a true asset to our project. His previous full season with a sportscar prototype in 2021 is another advantage for us, as it will surely ease his acclimatisation to the BMW M Hybrid V8.

"I am very delighted that Kevin Magnussen is part of the BMW M Motorsport family now.”

Magnussen expressed enthusiasm for his transition to endurance racing, particularly with a manufacturer as “iconic” as BMW.

"I am happy and proud to represent such an iconic motorsport brand as BMW in some of the world's most legendary races,” he said.

"After 10 years in Formula 1, I am embarking on a new and exciting chapter, and I look forward to taking on the challenge in the most innovative and advanced sportscars in the history of endurance racing.

"A huge thank you to BMW M Motorsport for this fantastic opportunity. I can hardly wait to start the preparations and look forward to kicking off the 2025 season with the rest of the team.”

Magnussen’s final appearance for Haas this weekend in Abu Dhabi marks the conclusion of a notable Formula 1 career that began with a sensational second-place finish on his debut at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix with McLaren.

After stints with Renault and Haas, Magnussen became a respected figure on the grid, known for his aggressive driving style and tenacity.

Following his initial departure from Formula 1 in 2020, Magnussen returned to Haas in 2022, stepping in after Nikita Mazepin was dropped just before the season began. His departure from Haas coincides with the team’s new driver line-up for 2025, featuring Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman.

As Magnussen steps into this new role, fans can expect him to bring his characteristic grit and determination to BMW’s campaign, further cementing his place in motorsport’s upper echelons.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.